Contents:

Bali Travel Guidebook:
Special Days: Kuningan

Introduction
Background on Bali
Activities & Tours
Language
Climate & Clothing
Money
Shopping
Health
Balinese Culture
   Special Days
      Galungan
      Kuningan
      Odalan
      Kajeng Kliwon
      Tumpek Landep
      Purnama
      (Full Moon)
      Tilem
      (New Moon)
      Nyepi (Balinese
        New Year)

Also occurring once in every 210 days in the Balinese cycle of days, Kuningan is the end of the most important of the regular religious ceremonies for the 10-day Galungan period. During this period the deified ancestors of the family descend to their former homes. They must be suitably entertained and welcomed, and prayers and offerings must be made for them. Those families who have uncremated deceased ones buried in the village cemetery must make offerings at the graves.

Kuningan takes its name from the fact that special offerings of yellow rice (nasi kuning) are made by colouring ordinary white rice with tumeric (kunyit). It is a time for family groups, prayers, and offerings, as their ancestors return to heaven.

This Galungan period is also a symbolic representation of a battle between good and evil, and the most important function of Kuningan is to celebrate the victory of good over evil so that the balance and harmony of the world can be maintained.

Unlike the more public processions of village temple ceremonies and cremations, most Kuningan celebrations take place in the privacy of the home, in the shrines of the family temple and house compound.

The day after Kuningan is a time for a holiday, visiting, and having fun.

The date for Kuningan and other special Balinese days is shown on the Balinese Calendar.

[next - for information on
temple anniversary ceremonies (Odalan)]

Thispage was last updated on December 2, 2001